Teeth Whitening | Post Treatment Care | University Dental Associates

Post Treatment Care

Only natural tooth enamel will whiten. If you have existing white fillings, crowns, bridges, etc., they will not whiten. After you finish the whitening process, these will need to be replaced to match the new shade of your teeth. If you are planning to have any of these done, the whitening program should be completed first.
Some people will experience tooth sensitivity during the whitening process. This can manifest itself as sensitivity to cold, heat, or pressure. Some people also experience an aching feeling. If your symptoms are minor, do not be alarmed. These symptoms usually disappear within a few days following completion of the whitening process.

Your dentist can also provide you with a prescription for a fluoride gel that can be used along with the whitening program to minimize these symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers will help with the aching feeling. If your tooth sensitivity is significant, discontinue the program and notify your dentist. He will advise you regarding what should be done.

Another side effect that people sometimes notice is gum sensitivity and/or some whitening of the gums in areas where they touch the crowns of the teeth. This also usually subsides within a few days after completion of the program. If you have any extreme tenderness or sores on the gums, discontinue the program and contact your dentist.
Other patients may have nonspecific sensitivity in their teeth, gums, tongue, lips or throat. If any of these symptoms occur, and are more than mild, discontinue the treatments until you speak to your dental professional.
It is also recommended you stay away from staining foods, liquids, and substances during this period for this may slow the whitening process:

Natural teeth will darken slightly as time passes. This occurs regardless of whether they have been whitened. If you want to “touch up” your whitened teeth in a few years, we have kits available for this purpose.